The Plough, Prestbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Nestled in a picturesque village outside Cheltenham, this charming 17th Century thatched pub boasts a welcoming family-friendly ethos instilled by Emma and Paul Gibbon and their team.
The one acre garden has a play area for younger kids to blow off steam while the newly refurbished boule pitch provides a space to bring all members of the family together. A doggie-station and spa includes the four-legged ones too.
Its garden room hosts private events - from baby showers to wakes – and provides a base for its roster of popular family events like elf breakfast workshops and Easter crafts.
Three Mile, Newcastle upon Tyne
The addition of a soft play in the adjoining pizza restaurant to this smart landmark on the Great North Road has made it a popular destination for families with young children.
It’s not just the pre-schoolers who matter at this Malhotra Group-owned pub. All ages are welcome at this accessible venue. But it’s the money-saving offers, such as kids eat for £1 during school holidays and a feed the family £25 pizza deal plus the family-focused annual events, like its Summer Fayre and Return of the Reindeer, that have cemented its reputation within the family market.
Perry Hill Pub, Perry Hill, London
Since adopting this south-east London boozer five years ago, owner Phil Sutton has made it his mission to create a space which can be enjoyed by families of all shapes and sizes.
Carefully zoned spaces allow customers to happily co-exist while a tucked away play area keeps younger customers occupied.
Kids party packages have proved popular with local parents as have the pub’s inexhaustible list of regular sell-out family-friendly events – from baby quizzes and a school holidays closing party, to a cowboy shindig and pumpkin carving.
The Old Thatch, Ferndown, Wimborne, Dorset
The dedicated parent and child parking spaces make it clear families are welcome at the Old Thatch before they enter the doors to this pretty Dorset gastropub.
Inside, the Little Thatchers menu provides nutritious options, while parents can relax as kids play safely in the dedicated outdoor play area Bear Island.
A ping pong table and pétanque provide activities for older kids and adults while its outside kitchen The Thatchery and The Little Bear Bar keep guests of all ages fed and watered.
Thoughtful zoning and multiple events appealing to every generation make this a popular destination to everyone.
The Airport Pub, Manchester, Greater Manchester
Aviation enthusiasts and families alike flock to this smart, bustling Robinson’s-owned pub for an unmatched view of planes taking off or landing with a side of hospitality.
The pub leans into its Manchester Airport location. Its garden which backs onto the runway, now sports a large airline-themed play area with sensory play and accessible features while the outside Hangar bar offers grab-and-go style dishes.
There’s also a shake shack and slushie machine to appeal to the younger members, while inside the pub customers can select from extensive menus including Little Aviators for kids.
Gaggle of Geese, Dorchester, Dorset
Simon and Sarah Colquhoun bought rural Dorset pub ‘the Gaggle’ in 2017 with the intention of creating a family-friendly venue they’d be comfortable raising their young son in.
Eight years on, the village pub and its surrounds are an oasis for families. Sprawling gardens host multiple activities for kids and their grown-ups, including a soft play bus, crazy golf course, table tennis and four pygmy goats for petting and feeding.
The addition of a tipi marquee in the grounds allows them to host a growing number of family weddings with its adjoining campsite offering bell tents and shepherds huts providing useful guest accommodation.
